The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Imo State chapter has raised an alarm over President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent approval and release of $1 billion to the Nigerian Army for the alleged purchase of arms and security equipment to fight insecurity in the country.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Dr. George Nkwoji while speaking with a cross section of journalists Saturday in Owerri declared that the sudden approval and release of such huge amount of money in the name of arm purchase to fight insecurity in Nigeria was not only suspicious but worrisome.
According to him, APGA is not comfortable with the whole exercise and its processes, alleging that the money may equally end up in the hands of some individuals.
He warned APC and Buhari not to follow the path of the previous administration under PDP and its role in similar arms deal with its attendant diversions when arms funds were used for elections. He averred that Nigerians would resist any attempt by the federal government under president Buhari and APC to divert the funds, adding that the timing was wrong. It would be recalled that the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the end of a security meeting chaired by the president declared that Buhari had approved the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion.
“As usual, we discussed the current activities that affected most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states.” The minister also said the recent deployments to Zamfara and other neighbouring states of Sokoto and Katsina was expected take care of the security challenges in the area. “Of course, the strength of security personnel has increased including the Air Force additional quick response group, they have added enough manpower in that area,” he said.
